IED Explodes Near Caucasus Mosque, Human Remains Found

Police in the Russian Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria are investigating a deadly blast near a village mosque that appears to have been a bomb that exploded prematurely.

In a statement, the region's Interior Ministry said an improvised explosive device detonated near a mosque close to the village of Baksan and that human remains were found.

A spokesman told the French AFP news agency that the exact number of victims is being investigated, while Interfax quotes a police source as saying that the body parts of two men were found, suggesting that they had blown themselves up accidentally.

Kabardino-Balkaria is considered one of the more peaceful areas of the Russian Caucasus, which has been plagued by an Islamist insurgency.